“We have a lot of kids in our lineup right now that have played well for us,” coach Mike Babcock said. “If we can hang in there, ideally we’ll get Datsyuk back; he’s a key guy for us.”

The fading Canucks (27-20-9) have lost three in a row and are 4-9-3 in their past 16 games. Head coach John Tortorella returns behind the bench tonight after serving a six-game suspension for his actions during a Jan. 18 game vs. Calgary, when he attempted to enter the Flames dressing room.

"I apologize first and foremost to the players for the situation I put them in, to the organization for my stupidity, to the league," Tortorella said after today's morning skate. "It’s been embarrassing and not just for me, but for everyone around me. What’s happened was deserved.

"It hasn’t been a great two weeks. It’s been very embarrassing for my family and for myself and more importantly, everybody around me that I’m supposed to represent. As far as the nonsense I caused, I want to move by it."